Women in Literature - The Duchess of Malfi and A Streetcar Named Desire

These flashcards summarize key themes and concepts related to the presentation of women in both The Duchess of Malfi by Webster and A Streetcar Named Desire by Williams.

What does Webster suggest about women's roles at the beginning of The Duchess of Malfi?

They are controlled and subjugated by male authority.

How does the Duchess of Malfi assert her agency in the middle of the play?

By secretly marrying Antonio against her brothers' wishes.

What is the fate of the Duchess by the end of The Duchess of Malfi?

She is murdered, symbolizing the punishment for her defiance against patriarchal control.

How are women depicted at the beginning of A Streetcar Named Desire?

As fragile and dependent on men for security.

What major choice does Stella make in A Streetcar Named Desire, demonstrating her conflicts?

She ultimately chooses to stay with Stanley, rejecting her sister Blanche's truth.

In what way do both plays illustrate the consequences of defying patriarchal norms for women?

Women who assert their agency are ultimately victimized and punished.

How does Blanche portray her desire for a connection in A Streetcar Named Desire?

She expresses a longing for love and security, which contrasts with her tragic past.

What symbolizes the tragic outcomes for women in both plays?

The murders and mental breakdowns of the female protagonists.

How are women shown as outsiders in both The Duchess of Malfi and A Streetcar Named Desire?

Both the Duchess and Blanche are marginalized figures who challenge societal norms.

What does the phrase "he picks up her inert figure and carries her to the bed" symbolize in A Streetcar Named Desire?

The ultimate violation and lack of autonomy experienced by Blanche.